New 135 build sps dominated
- Thread starter TomToro
- Start date
Is the the MH lighting your going to stick with? While the reflectors are great, I think the ballast and bulb could use some upgrading. PFO HQI Magnetic dual 250w ballast with dual 250w 20k radiums would be amazing on that tank, and probably reduce your need for the VHOs. Or if your shooting for most growth, go like I did, XM10ks and use your VHOs for actinics. I think the XM10k is a great bulb for growth, but if you want best coloring nothing beats the Radium 20k. I have yet to see a 14k/15k bulb that was any good. You seem to sacrifice both growth and coloring when you use those bulbs.. they have the PAR output of a 20k bulb but looks more like a 10K in coloring. JMHO of course.
Thanks everybody!
The pvc is just a holder for the pc lighting I have over the refugium.
I use a bare bottom because I'm going to try my hand at sps and I'll use lots of flow. Maybe too much for fine sand and that's all that I would have used. Instead I used a semi deep sand bed 5" in the refugium with a rack holding LR above 1" and some cheato in a space between the rock.
I would like to someday go with 250's with two electronic ballasts, but right now, my existing ballasts fit my budget. I am stuck with the SE type of bulb because I bought the pendants and I don't plan on changing those.
I agree with you on the hqi setup. I have two friends that have 250w de w/phoenix 14k bulbs and their tanks have amazing color and growth. Maybe when I re-do the 240 and I save up my allowance I'll spring for the good stuff.
One last thought, can't remember where, but I read that the Iwasaki 175w bulbs with the right reflectors and magnetic ballast were supposed to have good par for a 175w. I thought it was Sanjay's study, but I might be wrong.
thanks,
Tom Toro
No, not HQI as in double ended, HQI as in its true meaning, Hydrargyrum quartz iodide. It is one of those lovely terms in this hobby that has gained several wrong meanings over the years. I myself love SE bulbs and never cared for DE bulbs. I was saying down the line you could get that ballast I linked along with some bulbs and really give the corals the light they need. You already have the great reflectors so wouldn't want to waste those by changing to a DE setup anyway. This is going to be an SPS tank right? 
I just tried to look up that info on Sanjays site and it only has the Iwasaki 6700k bulb, which is the only bulb that beats my XM10k bulb that puts out 835PAR @ 250w. I believe your ballast/bulb combo will put out around 325PAR each.
I just tried to look up that info on Sanjays site and it only has the Iwasaki 6700k bulb, which is the only bulb that beats my XM10k bulb that puts out 835PAR @ 250w. I believe your ballast/bulb combo will put out around 325PAR each.
Looking GREAT Tom.
Where did you obtain your Cheato? And, what is the primary benefit to have in your sump?
Where did you obtain your Cheato? And, what is the primary benefit to have in your sump?
